Information:

Security is often seen as something technical. It’s supposed to revolve around complex systems, advanced codes, and above all, a lot of IT jargon. But if you get back to the core, you’ll see that digital security is largely about human behavior. In this article, you’ll learn why employees can be both the weakest and strongest link in your organization’s security awareness.

The human factor in security awareness

Let’s be clear: good security doesn’t mean you have to throw out all technical measures. An organization is only truly secure when all three pillars are in balance: technology, policy, and people.

Suppose your organization uses a password manager (technology) and has internally established (policy) that strong, unique passwords are mandatory. Yet, things can go wrong if employees still use simple passwords or share passwords on post-its (people).

Only when all three come together: technology, policy, and people, can true security be achieved. But good information security only works when it is supported by the entire organization. It’s not just the IT department’s responsibility; anyone can become a victim.

Reducing security risks is essential.

Sometimes the cause of a cyber incident lies outside the organization, such as a ransomware attack. Sometimes it happens internally, for example, when a colleague accidentally emails an Excel file containing personal data to the wrong recipient. Regardless of how a cyber incident occurs, the consequences are significant. Think of financial damage, loss of reputation, or legal consequences.

You can never completely prevent an incident, but you can significantly reduce the chance. A good security awareness campaign limits the risks by making employees aware of the dangers and training them in safe behavior. Such a campaign typically consists of training, simulations, awareness campaigns, monitoring, and adjustments.

Security awareness training

With security awareness training, you increase your employees’ knowledge of digital security. It’s important not to opt for a single, one-off session, but for a structured approach. Only through repetition does the topic stay relevant and engagement remains high.

Also pay close attention to the training content when choosing a campaign. Is there sufficient variety? Is the material relevant and up-to-date with the latest threats? And are interactive learning methods used to ensure it appeals to everyone?

Simulations

Simulations give employees the opportunity to practice risky situations in a safe environment. Think of phishing simulations where you test whether colleagues would click on a malicious link. There are also variations such as QR code phishing or scenarios with USB drives that really test employees.

Awareness Campaigns

A security awareness campaign isn’t complete without internal awareness. Good internal communication, for example, with a kick-off presentation, can have a major impact and further highlight the importance of your security awareness campaign. It’s especially powerful if you actively encourage safe behavior with positive feedback or rewards.

Monitoring and Adjustment

Ultimately, you want to know how your organization and your employees are doing in terms of information security, so you know how to adjust to achieve and maintain the desired results. Monitoring and reporting provide insight into your security awareness campaign. 

Security awareness met Awaretrain

Looking for a security awareness partner that can offer all of this? Choose Awaretrain’s security awareness platform. Awaretrain offers an extensive content library with over 70 modules, available in 9 languages. The training courses are short, practical, and directly applicable in daily work. This way, you can effortlessly engage your colleagues and encourage safe online behavior.

With simulations, monitoring, and reporting, you not only keep your employees alert but also gain insight into your organization’s actual awareness level. In addition, you can easily create and tailor programs to your organization’s risks and needs. This way, you make your employees the strongest link.